Story by Orsi Brown, photograph by Clay Banks

What makes the BLM movement sensitive? How does that make sense? “It’s a messy topic because it can get political.” Why make it political? We are saying that black lives matter because, in this world, that isn’t understood by everyone. Why is ending racism a debate? Racism isn’t a sensitive topic unless you yourself are racist.

The BLM movement started to become bigger and more popular this year when the video of a black man being killed by a cop was released. This man was George Floyd. He was slowly killed with a knee on his neck while three other officers watched. This was all for a “counterfeit $20 bill”. This is police brutality and racial profiling. Mark McCoy, a white man, was also arrested for a counterfeit $20 bill but was shortly let go. That is white privilege.

The Mapping Police Violence research collaborative reports that "28% of those killed by police since 2013 were people of color, despite being only 13% of the population in America". Black people are 3x more likely to be harmed by the police than white people. On top of this, there is often no accountability or arrests for the killing of innocent black people. The murderers of Breonna Taylor still walk free to this day. According to the official Black Lives Matter website, “BLM’s #WhatMatters2020 will focus on issues concerning racial injustice, police brutality, criminal justice reform, black immigration, economic injustice, LGBTQIA+ and human rights, environmental injustice, access to healthcare, access to quality education, voting rights and suppression".

There are people that would argue that these violent riots and protests are not doing anything but causing destruction. However, if we look back in time, riots and violence were often the only way marginalized groups could shift the systems that oppressed them. It is popular to say, “Violence is never the answer”, but in this case, how is it not? In the beginning, these protests were peaceful until police started to use tear gas, pepper spray, bats, wooden and rubber bullets. Not to mention the fact that these bullets were used incorrectly; instead of aiming at the lower half of the body and standing at least 10 ft away from the target, officers shot them directly at the faces and bodies of protestors. Despite law enforcement's violent response to riots and even peaceful demonstrations, protestors continue advocating for what is right. No justice, no peace! This isn’t a moment; this is a movement.

To the people who say “All lives matter”, we say, “Black Lives Matter”. We do not say “Only Black Lives Matter”. We know all lives matter, but black lives have been oppressed and put in danger for over two centuries. It is time that we get equality and justice. If you believe that all lives matter, then why aren’t you as angry as we are?

Furthermore, one's skin color is not an indicator of danger. How can you feel like someone is less than, or dangerous only because they have a different skin color than you? If you are tired of hearing about racism, imagine how tired people are of experiencing it.

The color of my skin is not a political statement. Stop letting old stereotypes be excuses for not getting involved.

If you want to help the movement go forward, there are many things you can do. Signing online petitions, raising awareness, attending a protest, donating to BLM charities, supporting black-owned/black-owned LGBTQIA+ businesses, educating yourself and others are great ways to help the BLM movement. You can also send emails and make calls to demand justice, speak up in moments of racism, share information and resources, and so much more.

Black Lives Matter is not a passing trend you can join by posting a black picture with the hashtag, “#blackouttuesday”. It is a movement fighting for equality and justice for black people. No matter how proud we are of our skin color, we ultimately did not ask for it. Yet, we are being killed for it and there is no accountability being held for our murderers.

We want justice now.

Works Cited

“BLM's #WhatMatters2020.” Black Lives Matter, 26 Feb. 2020, blacklivesmatter.com/what-matters-2020/.

Mapping Police Violence, 2020, mappingpoliceviolence.org/.